UglyRed

The joint just in front of the TC, is this supposed to be a cv-joint or a regular u-joint? 01' automatic 4x4.

I was reading that this is a cv-joint, but it looks like a regular u-joint to me. Also, are all the u-joints on an 01' universal, or do I need specific ones for the front and rear?

Sorry for the noob questions, but this is my first jeep and 4x4, so I'm learning as I go.

Oh, BTW, I posted that I broke the rear shock bolts in another thread. I used a long punch and hammer, and just beat them out. Replaced them with 5/16" grade 8 bolts. Worked great. Thanks to all the good info I found here. Didn't take much time either.

duncan0668

I have a 99 Sport and the front shaft has two Ujoints and a CV that bolts to the transfer case and a Ujoint that bolts to the front diff. I had mine completely rebuilt with all three Ujoints and the CV replaced, all Spicer pieces, cost $164.

UglyRed

Ok, got ya. So starting at the front, there is a u-joint at the diff, then a u-joint at each end of the shaft, and the cv joint at the TC. Is that correct?

4.3L XJ

That is correct

UglyRed

Ok, thanks for the help. I'll get those changed this weekend. The ones on the rear shaft look like they are in good condition. The rear shaft looks alot cleaner, and it looks like there was a new part installed on the back of the TC. So, some work has obviously been done recently from the back of the TC to the rear diff.

They guy that owned it before me had a 4" lift on it for a couple months before he sold it to me. He used the lift on a comachee he had. At least that's what I was told. I'm guessing he did the work to eliminate vibration with the high lift. The joints on the front shaft are all rusted and very dry looking, so no work was done on the front. there is also play when I shake the front shaft at the joint closest to the TC.